Mary-Louise Hoffman
IBM and Vencore have partnered to hold a competition for developers to build cloud-based predictive analytics and mobile software applications that can help emergency response organizations carry out their missions.
The First Responder Application Challenge is meant to encourage development of a fully functioning app that will run on IBM’s Bluemix cloud platform or Vencore’s Intelligent Data Exploitation and Analytics System, IBM said Tuesday.
“With Bluemix, we bring a cloud platform that can help all those involved in championing better solutions for our first responders through innovation to quickly build and implement new solutions,” said Anne Altman, general manager of federal and government industries at IBM.
Kent Matlick, senior vice president and general manager of Vencore’s mission integration group, said the company developed its IDEAS platform to help public safety agencies collaborate with app developers and content providers in a virtual environment.
The two companies are also working with the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation and the Association of Public Safety Communications to manage the program, which began Monday and will occur through Dec. 14.
IBM said participants will have an opportunity to work with universities and vendors during the challenge to develop their mobile and online tools for first responders.
